Connections Humanist Community - Washington D.C.

This event is brought to you by the Free Thinker Institute (FTI), a not-for-profit looking to support and empower personal development for its members - and for everyone interested. We organize an event every Tuesday to discuss ways to transform wisdom into practical applications that benefit our lives, covering topics widely ranging from professional subjects to spiritual ones.

Format: Social where we introduce ourselves (for those who want to) (15 mins), Brainstorm topics as a group about what we will discuss for the evening (15 mins), group discussion (1 hour 45 mins).

Description:
We will brainstorm topics to discuss at the start of the event, vote on said topics to decide which topic(s) are the most popular, and discuss those topics.

Few economic debates are as long-standing—or as heated—as the question of whether tax cuts truly boost economic growth. Proponents of “trickle-down” economics argue that lowering taxes on businesses and the wealthy spurs investment, job creation, and prosperity for all. Others contend that putting more money directly into the hands of working families—what some call “trickle-up” economics—creates stronger and more sustainable growth.
But what does the evidence actually say? And how much of this debate is driven by data versus ideology?

In this session, we’ll explore:

• Historical examples of major tax cuts and their long-term economic impacts.
• Whether cutting taxes on the wealthy, middle class, or businesses has created growth—or simply widened inequality.
• Alternative models for boosting economic opportunity, including demand-side and supply-side strategies.
• How to interpret competing economic studies—and why economists often disagree.

This is not a debate about left vs. right, but about understanding what works best for the economy—and for people across all income levels.
Whether you believe in trickle-down, trickle-up, or something in between, this event invites you to explore the evidence, challenge your assumptions, and imagine a stronger economy for all Americans.

Format: Lecture and discussion

Note: social time for our community 15 minutes before the presentation.

The “God of the Gaps” argument—claiming that God explains what science cannot—has long been criticized for shrinking as human knowledge expands. But what if there’s a more nuanced version of this argument? One not rooted in ignorance, but in the fundamental limits of human understanding itself.

Enter Gödel’s incompleteness theorems, which mathematically prove that within any consistent system of logic, there will always be true statements that cannot be proven within that system. Does this open the door to a rational acknowledgment of mysteries that may remain permanently beyond human explanation—whether those mysteries point to God, the transcendent, or simply the limits of reason?

In this session, we’ll explore:

What Gödel’s theorems actually say—and don’t say—about the limits of human knowledge.

Whether the “God of the Gaps” argument, when reframed as an acknowledgment of intrinsic limits rather than temporary ignorance, holds any philosophical merit.

Alternative secular explanations for the unknown, such as human cognitive limits, multiverse theories, or epistemological humility.

How this question intersects with science, philosophy, and personal belief systems across the spectrum.

This conversation is for skeptics, believers, and anyone intrigued by the boundaries of what we can know. It’s less about proving or disproving God, and more about asking: When we reach the edges of knowledge, what—if anything—should we place there?

Format: Lecture and discussion

Note: social time for our community 15 minutes before the presentation.

Raising taxes on the wealthy sounds like a way to fund social programs and reduce inequality—but does it really work? Or do the rich just pack up and move to lower-tax countries?
In this discussion, we’ll look at the evidence behind a common debate in economics and politics:

• Do higher taxes drive people—and their businesses—away?
• What does history show from states like California and New York, or countries like France and the UK?
• What are the ethical and practical considerations of balancing fair taxation with economic competitiveness?

Whether you believe in taxing the rich more, protecting capital flight, or finding a middle ground, this event invites open minds from all perspectives to discuss how we can fund public goods without creating unintended harm.

Format: Lecture and discussion

Note: social time for our community 15 minutes before the presentation.